Media Release
Ajman, Sep 30: The new batches of students of the six colleges under Gulf Medical, owned and run by Thumbay Group, were welcomed into their healthcare professions through a white coat ceremony organized by the university, on September 29, receiving their first white coats as they participated in the time-honored tradition.
Dr Thumbay Moideen, founder, president Board of Trustees, Gulf Medical University was the chief guest of the ceremony and professor Hossam Hamdy, and the chancellor of Gulf Medical University presided. Also present at the ceremony organized at the university were Akbar Moideen Thumbay – vice president of the Healthcare Division of Thumbay Group, as well as the vice chancellors and deans of the University.
Welcoming the gathering, professor Manda Venkatramana, vice chancellor Academics said that this year the new students numbered 440, representing 47 different nationalities. Those receiving their white coats were students in the first year of various programmes: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBMS), Associate Degree in Pre-Clinical Sciences (ADPCS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Bachelor of Science – Medical Laboratory Sciences (BSc MLS), Bachelor of Science – Anesthesia Technology (BSc AT), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Economics (BSc HME).
Addressing the students, professor Hossam Hamdy reminded them that they were making history as the current batch especially the students in Doctor of Medicine will be the first Batch in the university, starting their medical and health professions education, “the next few years at the University are not going to be easy for you. But is it easy to achieve something that is truly meaningful,” he said, adding, “there will be challenges, but there will also be rewards.”
Professor Hossam Hamdy further, in addition, explained the students that the world around them was changing rapidly in terms of communication, travel, treating patients, use of technology etc. “An important competency which will remain unchanged is the communication between human beings. The patients, the students, the healthcare providers and the medical educators are all humans. How to communicate, connect and interact and feel will play a key role in educating health professionals,” he explained, adding that nurturing ethicality and trustworthiness would be part of their learning process at Gulf Medical University.”
Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, professor Hossam Hamdy said, “Medical practice is no longer a case of a single doctor caring for his or her patients. You are part of a team, bringing in the expertise of a larger group of professionals, working within a healthcare system. Teamwork is the one of the important competencies you have to acquire during your studies and beyond. At Gulf Medical University we have established, for the first time, the Center for Interprofessional Education, Practice and research, the only one in the region.”
He also elaborated on the cutting-edge technologies like 3D learning, Artificial Intelligence and the Distance Learning and Blended Learning methodologies, which are all part of the learning experience at Gulf Medical University. “We now have 28 accredited programs imparted through the six colleges of Gulf Medical University,” he said. Thanking Dr Thumbay Moideen the Founder for the vision, values, leadership, hard work and ethical values of Gulf Medical University, professor Hossam Hamdy stated that Gulf Medical University now boasted unparalleled reputation in the region, attracting students from over 96 nationalities.
Selected representatives from the new batches of different programs received their white coats from the chief guest as part of the ceremony, as their parents and friends joined in virtually from different parts of the world, donning their white coats to take the first step in their journeys as healthcare professionals.